Statement of National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 25, 2014 -- “It will no longer be a guessing game of how many calories are in what we buy from vending machines, eat outside our home, or are hidden in mixed alcoholic drinks. Today’s action by the FDA puts calorie counts on the menu and power in the hands of consumers.” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced rules implementing Affordable Care Act requirements for menu labeling. The FDA rules announced require calorie information be listed on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, convenience and grocery stores offering prepared food servings, movie theaters, and vending machines with 20 or more locations. In addition, those establishments (except vending machines) are required to provide more complete written nutritional information (fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugars, and protein) upon request.
“Beginning a year from now, parents will be able to go to their grocery store or dinner with the family at a restaurant and more easily know the caloric value for themselves and their children by reading the menu or menu board,” said Dr. Delgado. “We are particularly pleased that the FDA has included alcoholic beverages in the menu labeling rule and that calorie count information is required to be visually of a size and location as to be easily readable. This change will give all of us better information and allow more informed choices,” concluded Dr. Delgado.
The Alliance announced that consumers who want information on changes coming to their menus and other nutrition information can call the Alliance’s bilingual Su Familia helpline at 1-866-783-2645.
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About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (The Alliance)
The Alliance is the nation's foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.hispanichealth.org or call the Alliance's Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline at 1-866-783-2645.
Abigail Hernandez, National Alliance For Hispanic Health, +1 (202) 797-4357, [email protected]
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